France no longer has representatives in the Roland-Garros singles tables. In this tribute edition to Rafael Nadal, Europe 1 looks back at this French player who gave the Majorcan, a true legend of the tournament, the most trouble during the 3rd round in 2006: a certain Paul-Henri Mathieu.
Unfortunately, it is not yet this year that a Frenchman will triumph at Roland-Garros. The last two French representatives, Corentin Moutet and Varvara Gracheva, lost in the round of 16, putting an end to any French chance of succeeding Yannick Noah (1983) or Mary Pierce (2000) this June.
But in this 2024 edition largely dedicated to Rafael Nadal, a true legend with his 14 titles gleaned at Porte d’Auteuil and who probably played his last French Open, Europe 1 pays tribute to Paul-Henri Mathieu, this Frenchman, then ranked at 32nd place in the world, who challenged the Spaniard, eye to eye, on Saturday June 3, 2006 in the third round of the men’s singles.
A French outsider against Nadal already the overwhelming favorite
The clay court at Porte d’Auteuil has always smiled greatly on Rafael Nadal, especially against French players. The Majorcan played a total of ten matches against French players at Roland-Garros, for as many victories, notably against Richard Gasquet (three successes) or Sébastien Grosjean (one victory).
Very often one-sided encounters, except for the one involving Paul-Henri Mathieu who, in 2006, did not have any significant Grand Slam successes. Conversely, Rafael Nadal, who celebrates his 19th birthday this Saturday June 3, 2006, is already announced as a phenomenon, particularly on clay since he has already won his first Grand Slam title in Paris the previous year.
1st set: Paul-Henri Mathieu takes the lead and makes Rafael Nadal doubt
The two men therefore enter the Philippe-Chatrier court, bathed in sunlight and without the roof. The start of the game is tense, and if “PHM” loses its entry service game, it manages to regain that of the Mallorcan to equalize at 2-2. The match is balanced, and at 5-5, both players multiply winning shots at a very high level. The Strasbourg resident then pushes “Rafa” to make a mistake to take his service at the best of times.
© CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP
Paul-Henri Mathieu, June 3, 2006, against Rafael Nadal.
On his third set point, Paul-Henri Mathieu took advantage of a long line backhand from the Spaniard who escaped into the lane to win the first set. The Mallorcan takes a desperate look at this mark outside, while the Parisian public cheers the Habs (7-5).
2nd set: Nadal maintains the pressure and comes back to level with the Frenchman
Rafael Nadal returns with stronger intentions in the second act, and a point made at 2 games to 1 sums up this state of mind: Nadal succeeds in returning a powerful jumping backhand from the Frenchman. Later, at 3-2, the Majorcan grants himself the “Polo” service, and keeps his play until the end of the set (6-4). A round everywhere between the two players.
3rd set: The Spaniard wins the set after interrupting the game
In the third act, the two men maintained the pressure, Rafael Nadal chaining two winning passing shots in quick succession at 3-3 to then offer himself opportunities to break the 32nd in the world. Still insufficient to derail “PHM”, which pushes the deadline up to 4-4. At that moment, the Frenchman drops a notch and the Spaniard rushes into the breach to get another break, and serve to lead two sets to one.
The shadow begins to reach the center court, and it is at the end of the set that an unexpected “event” takes place: Rafael Nadal briefly interrupts the game. The young Mallorcan goes to sit in his chair, and calls a doctor in the middle of the tenth game. Enough to annoy the spectators at Porte d’Auteuil: “Rafa” wins the third set (6-4) and returns on his bench, under the whistles of the public.
4th set: Rafael Nadal ends up triumphing after five hours of play
At the dawn of the fourth set, the center court is now plunged into shadow, and as at the start of each set, the two players each lose their service game. “PHM”, with his back to the wall, tries everything for everything, offers beautiful points like a forehand passing which surprises the Spaniard in the middle of the set. But at 4-4, the Frenchman misses a volley which gives Nadal two break points. He only needs one to take the final serve from Strasbourg, and this time engage in the match.
In this last game, Paul-Henri Mathieu forces destiny, but he finally gives in on a backhand which goes behind the Mallorcan’s baseline. Victorious in four sets (5-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4) of a match which lasted almost five hours of play, Rafael Nadal raised his arms and turned towards his clan. The handshake between the two men is furtive, and “PHM” finally leaves the Philippe-Chatrier court to ovations. This third round of 2006 is Rafael Nadal’s 56th victory in a row on clay (all competitions combined). He was only at the beginning of his triumphant history with the French Open.
